Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1887-12-07

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the placing OF all the manufacturers on g
common basis as far as the numbers and
prices were concerned, and this is set
forth at considerable length In letter
which accompanied the formal presenta-
ton of the scale to the Scale Committees.
In this letter the manufacturers point
out to the men that, in their opinion, the
present prices of ware will not admit of
any increase IN the cost of production;
that such an increase would involve either
an advance IN prices or loss to the manu-
facturers; that an advance in prices would
mean a leSsened consumption, with con-
] seuuent restriction in the number of men
employed, and that, on the contrary, a
larger consumption would result in an in
creased demand, with a corresponding in
crease III the number OF workmen.
These propositions the managers hold to
be self-evident, and say that if this be so,
any course which will keep the price of
production at the lowest notch will best
subserve the mutual interests of both
manufacturers and men. The manutac-
turers insist that they only seek to equalize
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efficiency of the workmen, and say that
the theory that one man, no matter what
his qualifications, is entitled to just as
much and no more money than any other
workman, is as unreasonable as would be a
law that every article, without regard to
its value, should sell for 500.
In conclusion, the manufacturers say
! they have learned wisdom from their men,
aud have formed an organization TO resist
| the unreasonable demands of organized
labor, bat disclaim any hostility to labor
associations They do not wish TO en-
CroaCh upon the rights Of the wOrkmen,
but to protect them, and add that any
grievance on the part OF the men will re-
ceiye every consideration from the Manu-
facturers' Executive Committee, and if
necessary the Workmen's Executive Com
mittee will be called to consult.
This scale and the accompanying dOcu-
ment will be considered by the Wheeling
glass workers at a meeting to be held next
Sunday, and it is presumed that definite
action will be taken upon it ct that time.
| In reply to the inquiries of manufacturers
yesterday, they were told that pending a
consideration of the matter work by the
men would 90 on as usual, and that there
need be no fears that the men would desert
| the works without due notice.
This course does not seem 20 have OBJ
tanned at some OF the factories in the Pitts
burg district, although at most Of them
there has been no change up to last night.
The air in this city was filed with wild
rumors all day yesterday, these evidently
being based upon telegram which was
sent out from Pittsburg Monday night, to
\ the effect that a general strike there would
take place githip the next forty-eight
hours.
The only men who have SO far gone ont
in Pittsburg, were employed in the factory
| of King & Son. On Monday two Of the
new scales were presented to the
heads OF the.committCe in Kings works and
| rs soon az they ascertained what they were
every nan in the works was notified that
| there would De Q special meeting IN the
afternoon. This ordsr, it appears, was mis-
understood, and without further ceremony
every employe laid down his tools and
left the factory. They took il
for granted that call for a
special meeting meant, a strike
and this is why they are out. 1t is GER
tair, however, tk2t when the committee
issued the call for the meeting that they
did not mean to strike just then IS the
object of tie call was only to consider the
scale. Twenty-three pots in Kings works
we're left full OF glass, which If rot worked
soon will be loss Of not less Than 81 goo
70 the firm, but now it seems more than
probable that the pots will not be relieved
| OF U,.Sir contents for some time to come.
The fires w. still kept up in the hope that
something yet m.s be done to induce the
men to return en- work until the scale goes
into effect on January 2, bui from the
latest accounts it looks as though 1t Is
useless to ask the men 10 tipish what glass
is in the pots.
When the men from Kings factory met
in the afternoon, President Smith, the
head of the window glass workers organi-
cation, addressed them, urging them to re-
turn and work out all the metal in the
pots, bui this they positively refused TO do
Ii was said by them that they did come
out on a strike and thSS there Was no use
in going back now for the sake Of thirty
six hours work. The more President
Smith plead with the men to concede t.
his request, the sterner they become IL
their resolution. After the meeting wa
over the men on the day turn met thost
on the night turn as they were going tC
work, and told them of the strike, and as s
result the Night men did not show up a
|, the factory.
Yesterday morning DIS committee o.
Kings factory called upon the arm and
had long consultation with them, bat nt
arrangement was made By which the glas'
in the pots could be worked 1p. The com
pany stated that unless the men came bscS
the whole factory would be shut down.
Yesterday morning the men in the Pitts
burg factory of Jones, Cavitt & Co. sen
the following questions, through their fac
tory COMMITTEES, tc the firm:
Are you going to give us the thirty
days notice when the new se4;e GOES int
} effect? was the first question. SeSsES
when does the thirty days begin? Third
are you going to live up TO the sgrsemen
after January l?'
Yesterday afternoon there was largely
attended meeting of the Pittsburg glass
workers. The action Of the manufacturer
in not giving the workmen full thirty days
notice OF an intended shGt down was con
demned in strong terms. The employer
were also criticised for making the Stats
ment that their intention ia revising t1i
scale was TO endeavor to formulate piar
by which strikes might be avoided, and yet
oder list that could not possibly satisfy
their employees. 1t is understood that tn:
order for tie strike will be sustained.
Secretary w. J. Dilios, af The Glass
Workers Association, made the following
statement yesterday morning:
If strike should occur the American
Flint Glass Workers can stand it. We
control all the factories in the district, and
backed By that ana sill the trades unions,
/ think we can make pretty stiff fight.
II strike is declared we will have Sl50,
900 on hand to make the fight, and by the
time that Is used up another fund Of 49,
600 will have accumulated from the strike
tax. If we 60 ont here all the aint glass
workers in the country will contribute to
our fund. You may state, however, If we
do have a strike we will make it quite
lively"
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